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Author
Topic: Hello ALL! going on 27 years here (Read 14249 times)

Im ryan, got a blood transfusion when i was 1 day Old, November 12, 1981. I found out when i was 12 years old, my family found out the same time, as i had never been sick and still to this day never been sick from the hiv or anything serious.The reason we found out was because the guy that donated blood to me in 1981, tried to donate blood again, and they checked under his records and saw he gave me blood 12 years earlier. So my whole family had to go in for blood tests, and mine came back poz. It was the second to last day of school in 7th grade, and i went to school on the next day after i found out and told the kids in the one class i had that day, and the teacher. Then the start of 8th grade i had an assembly and told the entire school. Its been a roller coaster ride ever since, but im still here and healthy for now. I was actually wondering if i was like the longest documented survivor. I know alot of people got it in the early 80s and stuff but dont really know when.

Hi Ryan, and welcome to the board. Glad to read your story and see that you're doing well with your HIV infection after that long of a period.

Quote

I was actually wondering if i was like the longest documented survivor. I know alot of people got it in the early 80s and stuff but dont really know when.

I recall that there's a few here that somehow know that they were infected earlier than you -- one guy in particular has a blood sample that was frozen from the mid/late 70's or something... can't recall which screen name he uses here though.

You are the longest surviving person I've heard of, but regardless, glad you are doing well after this long. I reached 19 years last September. Life is life with its ups and downs, but so far, so good.

No i honestly never had issues with peers, and people in the community like that at all.Ive never even had issues with girls either every girl i ever dated i told about before we were serious, and i can honestly say its never once been an issue . Although right now im just really looking for a girl who understands what i go through.

The school department had some issues, and made things pretty hard for me, but forget them, the kids in school were there for me, the teachers were there for me, all the kids parents were there for me, and its just been easy for me compared to most i guess.

It amazes me when i talk to people who are poz and there just like telling me about how secretive they are about it. And hide it from even their close friends, and family, and im just like wow.

Being open about it, and talking about it, and educating people around me, its all that i know. If you have to deal with it , i think its our job to educate people and not be so sheltered about it. Because it defineatly makes the world a better place for people who are poz. Because if you are educated about it, you just wont be scared of it.

Ive always told everyone, even like just in conversation at my jobs and stuff, coworkers-bosses, customers, really just like whatever about it. And its always worked out good.

Hi Ryan, and welcome. You are definitely a long-term survivor! Wow, since 1981....

I'm surprised, as Betty was, that you never encountered any problems/confrontations, etc. May I ask if you are in the USA? If so, what state/city? You can tell from my name that I am in Alabama, and while I can be open about it with most everyone in my life, I still feel that I cannot be completely "out", due to living in a redneck State with mean people. I try to put my safety first; it would be a shame to be a 21 year survivor of AIDS, and get knifed or shot by some stupid redneck who is afraid of AIDS.

Glad you've joined us! It's a great group of people, especially our LTSers. We all pretty much stick together too, and support each other.

hugs,Alan

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"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Welcome, Ryan.That's great that you are so open about your HIV status and have not encountered much slack because of it--but it's risky business to disclose for some people. Some pockets of Americana are not so supportive, as you may already know.An extreme case: The late William F. Buckley, Jr. ( (November 24, 1925 Ė February 27, 2008) once proposed that all HIV+ people should have a stamp placed on their foreheads. Yikes! I hope you continued good health status and that your life will always be blessed with caring people such as surrounds you now.I hope you find friends here. Lots of supportive folks here.

I'm not surprised that Ryan has encountered less AIDS stigma -- he's one of the "innocent victims" while the rest of us are either sexual deviants or drug addicts. Keep in mind that Ryan didn't learn of his status for the first 12 years, and those first 12 years were when "innocent victim" stigma would have occurred. By 1993 -- 3 years post Ryan White's death -- I'd figure that this particular stigma was considerably less due to the media attention.

Well Ryan, you have me beat! I had a transfusion in 1983 at 9 mths old. My story sounds similar to yours. I've told everyone and have only run into a problem once. I've wondered before what's the longest someone has lived with HIV cuz I'm curious about the long term effects and stuff. Do you know of anyone who has had it longer than you? Ya know, life in general has been pretty good, but relationships can get kinda difficult. I say difficult, but it's the same here...no one has ever left me right away because I have it. I've just been wondering lately how other people handle it in their relationships.

Yes it is good to be reading about another long term survivor. It was in 1984 after an outbreak of the shingles that I learned about my positive status. No meds back then, just healthy living tips and trying not to get sick. Had a brief scare in 1996 (given less than a year to live then, lo and behold anti-viral regimens came on the market and worked for me) then 2003 the dreaded pneumonia struck but a great hospital team pulled me through. Some days I wonder why so many of my friends have died and I am still here. Although I admit the purpose evades me in the short term, I think there must be some higher power or purpose for my still being here.

Oddly, the experience has been liberating in some ways and limiting in others. I have learned to be 'as innocent as a babe, but as wise as a serpent' when it comes to sharing my condition. There is always a stigma attached to any disease, so one has to tread carefully when divulging information.

Blessings to you for joining the forum! Here's to many years to come of joy, life and love! Make every day count by expanding your horizons. Our condition is a strange 'gift' that as you age you may come to understand more about yourself and the possibilities of helping others.

I remember a long time back watching a tv show about a man whowas hiv poz, and at that time he was hiv for 16 yrs and didnt even take meds..

I was diagonsed on april 1986, but I didnt take meds till 16 yrs later...

I saw how my lover died on azt and how the rest of my friends weredropping like flies..So I waited as long as possible hoping there would be better meds out there by the time I needed to take them..

My tcell count was down to 27 and I felt like shit..I knew it was my time toget on meds....and I did...

I am not sure of the oldest suvivor is....Can someone look it up on line.? Ill try...Btw, great to know you...

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Live Love Laugh and dance like no ones watching.Laughter is the best medicine, so try to have a laugh everyday..Even if your not feeling your best, think about something that was funny at one time in your life and work with it.. )

Poz since 1983, I've had many experiences living with the virus, some down right interesting, some near death and met alot of wonderfull people.

So given the fact that I am still alive after 25 years with HIV/AIDS is a miracle in itself.

Adherence to meds and doctor appointments along with Medicare will help a majority of infected people.

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32 years poz LTS with no expiration date

Diagnosed HIV 1982Diagnosed AIDS 2001

As of June 2015, VL <20 CD 435 26%

Currently taking a daily total of 17 meds while only two meds for AIDS, the rest for other body organs effected by years of retrovirals. Diagnosed with Lung Cancer 2012, COPD Stage 4 2015, IBS 2013, Chronic Cystitis, Chronic Renal Failure, Hearing Loss, Depression and everyday comes with different health episodes which has sent me to the Er via EMS on a regular basis. My quality of life has been impacted dramatically.

Glad to see you on here. I've never heard of someone infected so long, I was wondering if I was the only one alive for so long until I got hooked up on these forums. I have been infected for sure since 1985 but with the latency of the infection I suspect it was in 78 or 79. Keep on and stay healthy.

WOW, what an amazing story. You are a true trooper. I've been infected for 25 yrs. Although, it could have been 24...I guess I might change my screen name. Anyhow... you stay strong!! It's great to hear your story, you are an amazing person.

WOW, what an amazing story. You are a true trooper. I've been infected for 25 yrs. Although, it could have been 24...I guess I might change my screen name. Anyhow... you stay strong!! It's great to hear your story, you are an amazing person.

you should look into things, before just saying, stupid things, im really gonna make this shit up.... dumbass.... google my name and youll find so much stuff about me, hmmm not to mention my article in the most recent poz magazine and giant photo ... heres the link to my article on poz.com http://www.poz.com/articles/2186_14614.shtml

oh yeah the reason i came on here today is to share with everybody that i got the greatest news yesterday....I was off medicine for 3 years and my viral load was 150,000 and t-cells were single digits, for almost 2 yearsand i never was sick or whatever, hiv has never affected me, but anyways i started my new meds and in 4 weeks i am undetectable, and my t-cells trippled im so happy.....

you should look into things, before just saying, stupid things, im really gonna make this shit up.... dumbass.... google my name and youll find so much stuff about me, hmmm not to mention my article in the most recent poz magazine and giant photo ... heres the link to my article on poz.com http://www.poz.com/articles/2186_14614.shtml

oh yeah the reason i came on here today is to share with everybody that i got the greatest news yesterday....I was off medicine for 3 years and my viral load was 150,000 and t-cells were single digits, for almost 2 yearsand i never was sick or whatever, hiv has never affected me, but anyways i started my new meds and in 4 weeks i am undetectable, and my t-cells trippled im so happy.....

well sugar pie it's about time.

it's good to know you are real and not some nut case.

hope you post more often and become an active member, rather than some fly by night (which happens much more often than you think)

I know, but im just kinda insulted, i mean its the way i am, ive been dealing with this my whole life and its been very hard, to hear someone say im fake is the worst thing you could call me. I just dont chat in forums a whole lot thats all but anyone can feel free to email me or private message me

I know, but im just kinda insulted, i mean its the way i am, ive been dealing with this my whole life and its been very hard, to hear someone say im fake is the worst thing you could call me. I just dont chat in forums a whole lot thats all but anyone can feel free to email me or private message me

Ryan,

He probably got "years" and "inches" mixed up.... this is the internet, after all. Still, I'm glad you re-surfaced. I'll hit 26 years in three months, though I contracted HIV "the old-fashioned way."

no one called you a fake, we were just wondering who you were. I have been living with it most of my life as well. We are glad you are real and doing fine. If you spent anytime on hear, you would know I tease a lot. But hey it worked, you got back online to talk with us. Sorry you felt insulted or were hurt.